Public space

Zuidas is growing into a very densely built-up district. This is why one of our most important and challenging tasks is to ensure that the public space is carefully planned and landscaped to make it attractive. The fact that major construction works are also happening at the same time is another key factor.

It is our task to ensure that the limited space available is planned and landscaped to make it an attractive place to spend time, not only for residents, but also for people working and studying in Zuidas. And, of course, for plants and animals. For example, , in 2019, we developed Amaliaplein, on top of the Strawinsky underground parking facility (accommodating 3,750 bikes). Opposite the RAI, we renovated Europaplein-Oost in 2022. And, in Kop Zuidas, we completed landscaping work on And, in Kop Zuidas, we completed landscaping work on Hogelandplein.

When planning and relandscaping streets, we ensure we add planting and create space for water. For example, the Zuidelijke Wandelweg in the Kop Zuidas neighbourhood was given the Netherlands’ first ‘water-retardant green strip’ in 2016. Its aim is to delay the drainage of water during heavy rain showers and hold it in the area for as long as possible. We added similar strips – referred to as water drainage channels or ‘wadis’ – in the Vivaldi neighbourhood and in Prinses Irenestraat. They also play an important role in the diversity of the vegetation and, by extension, that of small animals. And, the start of the future Ravel residential district has been a natural playground since 2023.

Creating and improving public spaces is done in close consultation with local residents. We regularly organise meetings or find other ways of enabling people to contribute ideas about the landscaping of a street or a pocket park. For example, people living in one of the side streets off George Gershwinlaan had an opportunity to use an app in order to help decide what the public space should look like. Residents around Prinses Irenestraat were also able to contribute their ideas on the landscaping of a small park.

Before developing a plot, we often temporarily landscape the space. For example, between the EMA and the Van der Valk hotel, there is a plot that is designated for office use, but is being used as a community garden until the start of construction. In Fred. Roeskestraat, we have also landscaped a plot temporarily, until work on the construction of the Duet housing complex starts. In the Kop Zuidas district, we are in the process of coming up with a temporary use for two plots that will later be used for another purpose.

The area around Amsterdam Zuid station is set to be dominated by construction sites for a long time to come. Despite this, we are doing our utmost to make the best of it. This includes making construction hoardings look attractive, such as the Streets of the World exhibition, that was initially displayed alongside Arnold Schönberglaan and later next to Eduard van Beinumstraat. Or the streetart on the new Maurice Ravellaan. We are also in the process of considering the – long-term – temporary landscaping of the area when much of the new station is already in use, but it is not yet completely finished because of ongoing work on the A10 tunnel. In order to provide passengers and other members of the public with some level of comfort, we are arranging a modest, but attractive landscaping of the station area. In the longer term, when the A10 Zuid has disappeared underground in the centre of Zuidas, there will be plenty of space for plants and greenery when the public space is given its definitive landscaping. Ultimately, for example, there are plans to develop a ‘DokDakPark’.